Santa Elena

Travel Guide

Santa Elena showing religious aspects, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Santa Elena
Santa Elena featuring a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and religious elements
Santa Elena showing religious aspects and a church or cathedral
Santa Elena featuring religious elements and a church or cathedral
This humble town in northern Guatemala is a great base for exploring the villages of Lake Petén Itzá and ancient Mayan ruins such as Tikal.

Stretching back from the southwestern shores of Lake Petén Itzá is the unpretentious town of Santa Elena. Come here to visit rock-cut caves and an eco-adventure park. Discover sleepy lake villages and take side trips to the ruins of ancient Mayan cities. Santa Elena is one of three sister towns that make up a region called Flores. The other towns are Flores and San Benito. 

While Santa Elena’s major attractions lie in its immediate surroundings, the town itself also has its own sights. Relax beneath the shade of palm trees in Parque Central and enjoy some retail therapy at Mundo Maya International Mall. Walk or catch a tuc tuc to Actún Kan, a cave system strewn with impressive stalagmites and stalactites. 

Just a 15-minute drive from the town center is Ixpanpajul Natural Park, an adventure sports center and nature reserve. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of a rainforest from a suspension bridge, skyway trail and a zip-line course. Look for colorful birdlife and spider monkeys. 

Go to the waterfront, where a causeway crosses to Flores Island and the charming town of Flores. Visit centuries-old landmarks, such as Catedral de Flores, and learn about the archaeological sites of Petén at CINCAP Museum. Wander the cobblestone streets to find pretty pastel-colored houses, cafés and restaurants. Stroll around the lakeshore promenade, swim in the emerald water or rent a kayak and cruise along the lake.

Join a boat trip from Flores’ pier and travel to villages such as San Miguel and San Jose. Spot crocodiles, ocelots, pumas and toucans at Zoologico Petencito. 

Santa Elena is just an 8-minute drive from Mundo Maya International Airport, which receives flights from Guatemala City and Belize City. The town has a good selection of accommodations, although many visitors choose to stay on Flores Island. 

While in Santa Elena take a daytrip to Tikal National Park, situated about a 1-hour drive to the north. Find ancient Mayan temples and palaces set within a verdant forest. Nearby Uaxactún is another Mayan site worth visiting.

Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel
Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Laguna Quexil, Desarrollo de Tayasal, Flores, Peten
The price is P17,488 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
P17,488
P21,336 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 22 - Apr 23
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Flores. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (307 reviews)
"Serenely beautiful"

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2025

Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel
Hotel Casona del Lago
Hotel Casona del Lago
3.5 out of 5
Calle Litoral, Flores, Peten
The price is P5,332 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
P5,332
P6,505 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 6 - Apr 7
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Flores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Central Park and Maya Mall are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (228 reviews)
"A beautiful hotel with a great view. It’s walkable to shops and restaurants just across the bridge. The pool was beautiful and very clean."

Reviewed on Mar 30, 2025

Hotel Casona del Lago
Hotel Villa Maya
Hotel Villa Maya
3 out of 5
Laguna Petenchel, Santa Elena Petén, Flores, Peten
The price is P5,398 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
P5,398
P6,585 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Flores. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (143 reviews)
Awesome villa in the middle of jungle
"Super comfortable and nice looking villas on the lake. Lots of wildlife around (we even saw a crocodile while having breakfast in the restaurant). Many hikes through the rainforest to enjoy the nature. The gem of our whole trip to Guatemala."

Reviewed on Apr 4, 2025

Hotel Villa Maya
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hostted
Hostted
2.5 out of 5
Calle 30 de Junio, Flores, Petén
Stay at this apartment in Flores. Enjoy free WiFi, Netflix, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Flores Dock and Church of Our Lady of the Remedies are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (8 reviews)
"The room is clean and comfortable. It has restaurants and grocery around the building. The host send me the passwords of the doors in the same day of my arrival. My only comment is they can add some label or sign on the door so that I can easily identify which door to open. They have 4 front doors ..."

Reviewed on Nov 30, 2024

Hostted
Luxury Lake House
Luxury Lake House
2 out of 5
Calle la Union, Flores, Petén Department
Stay at this vacation home in Flores. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Church of Our Lady of the Remedies and Las ...
Luxury Lake House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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